The Spain international was heavily tipped for a move to Old Trafford last month, along with claims that the Red Devils had seen an offer rejected by Los Blancos, but Benitez has plans for the 29-year-old.

“In terms of Sergio Ramos, there’s a lot of talk about his situation,” Benitez said from Melbourne, during the club’s pre-season tour of Australia.

“For me, he is an enormous professional. In person, he applies himself, he does everything that the team and I ask of him. The president has already commented that he is staying with the club.

“I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas, about his future. I see Sergio as an integral part of our team, he’s a winner and that’s what we need in our team.”

United have already had a busy transfer window, bringing in Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay, but it looks like they will need to look elsewhere for a centre-back.